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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a reply by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, in the Legislative Council today (October 21):
Question:
It has been reported that the views expressed by the Secretary for Home Affairs ("the Secretary"), during his conversation with senior officials of the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association in early 2009, were alleged to have exerted pressure on the Association, causing the Association to transfer its social workers in Tai O out of the area. As a result, one of the social workers concerned resigned and became jobless. Members of the public are gravely concerned about this incident and worried that the Government is interfering with the operation of the professional sectors through politics. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) regarding the statement the Government made, without conducting any independent investigation, that the Secretary had not politically interfered in the social work profession, whether the Government has harboured anyone and shielded his fault, and whether it will consider afresh the conduct of an independent investigation; if there is such a situation and an investigation will be conducted, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) given that it has been reported that the Secretary, without conducting any investigation, had commented and expressed opinion on the acts of the social workers concerned and their impact on the community, whether the Government has assessed if there has been any misconduct on the part of the Secretary; if the assessment outcome is in the affirmative, whether it will require the Secretary to take the blame and resign as well as provide compensation to the victims; and
(c) how the Government rectifies and improves similar political behaviour of senior government officials, as well as how it ensures that such officials, especially Secretaries of Departments and Directors of Bureaux, will not interfere with the work of the professional sectors through politics?
Reply:
President,
At the LegCo Case Conference held on September 18, the Secretary for Home Affairs (SHA) gave a clear account to LegCo members on the circumstances of his meeting with the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in January. He explained that the meeting was proposed by YWCA in order to introduce the development plan of the Association. During the exchange with the Association, SHA never expressed any opinion or comment regarding the work or performance of individual social workers. He only expressed the wish that YWCA and the Rural Committee could work together to promote the well-being of Tai O residents and a harmonious community. This is consistent with the effort by the Home Affairs Bureau to foster a harmonious society and does not involve any political interference or misconduct. Without any convincing evidence, the Government considers that there is no need to carry out any independent investigation.
As always, the Government supports the work of professionals in serving the community in accordance with their professional skills and conduct. Taking the social work sector as an example, our social workers have done a marvellous job in serving the public, coordinating and solving conflicts, and promoting harmony in the community. The Government will continue to work with them to serve the public.
Ends/Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:06
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